Jordan Clarkson enjoyed his stint with the Jazz this season, but it’s uncertain whether he’ll remain in Utah, Sarah Todd of the Deseret News notes. Clarkson will be an unrestricted free agent and multiple suitors will be after his services, Todd points out. Clarkson was a sparkplug off the bench for a playoff team, averaging 15.6 PPG, and the Jazz will be first in line to make him an offer, Todd adds.
We have more from around the Northwest Division:
- Jamal Murray can truly cement himself as a superstar if the Nuggets can overcome Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers, Sean Keeler of the Denver Post opines. Following his huge performances in the opening round against Utah, Murray was held to 12 points in Game 1 of the Nuggets’ second-round series against the Clippers on Thursday.
- The Timberwolves will stay open-minded as they mull what to do with the No. 1 overall pick, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. President of basketball operations Gersson Rosas says all options are on the table, since there’s no surefire star in this year’s draft class. “We’re going to do incredible due diligence, whether it’s a point guard, whether it’s a big,” he said. “I’m 100 percent in the camp of ‘find the best player with the best upside.’ That’s the path we’re going to take.”
- The futures of head coach Billy Donovan and point guard Chris Paul are the biggest questions looming over the Thunder, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman writes. Paul is under contract for two more seasons but OKC isn’t likely to attach draft picks to a potential deal, considering Paul’s strong season and playoff performances.
If the Nuggets can overcome Clippers and Kawhi. Like that’s really happening. LoL
The biggest question for Thunder is if they are going to partially rebuild or not
Donovan is not the question
CP3 to the Knicks for pick #27
Nah, I’d rather seem go somewhere that can contend that needs a P.G. Miami if Dragic leaves or Milwaukee. No way to fit him under the cap in either LA team.
No one is taking Chris Paul without multiple first round picks attached in the deal, just like when the Rockets traded him.
no but they can have Randle if they send the # 25 this year and a 1st round pick next year.
When Clarkson started for Lakers. He was efficient and good both ways. But then they sat him traded him. And he never really got a chance to start again. I thought he was a solid 2way PG. That just needed mins and a team to believe in him. He’s only 28 and once again has solid numbers. I wouldn’t mind at all he start for Knicks. If we don’t draft a PG. Always liked him a big PG plays both ways.
Sixers should be going all out for him. Sixers need to keep Simmons on wing. And bring in a scoring PG. Harris to a Utah could work. Man I’m all about getting Sixers a PG. Don’t wanna see them mess up this team.
Interesting… Clarkson (and who else?) on a sign-and-trade to Sixers for Tobias Harris. Helps both teams.
Why do they even want to trade Paul? He led a team that most observers had pegged as one of the worst in the West before the season into a really great 1st round series that could have easily ended with the Thunder in the 2nd round. People look at his salary and forget just how special a player he really is. The guy is easily a first ballot HOFer and, while not at his peak anymore, he is still among the top 5-10 PGs in the NBA.
Put Paul on any roster in the NBA and that team instantly becomes a playoff team. Even the Knicks.
Paul is 35. Knicks don’t need a 43 mill a yr Old man. Nobody is taking him. Unless he can take them to Finals. Like Sixers or Heat or even Bucks lol. Makes no sense to pay him for anything else. Those teams can go to Finals. They can pay him n tax. Only reason you would pay him. Cause he’s missing piece to ring. Knicks are rebuilding. We can be 8th seed without a Paul. And take on 4 more players for that 43 mill.
Young players. Like sign our picks
I’d argue the reason the Knicks struggle so much to develop players is that they don’t have anyone running the offense who is also an offensive threat.
A good PG who can also shot from 3 makes everyone else on the team better.
I think he’d also be a better teacher for other PG’s than anyone else on the team.
I wouldn’t pay 45 mil but if OKC throws in some picks and takes Randle I’d do it.
Jamal Murray isn’t even close to being a “superstar”.
Since when are guys averaging 18 points a game superstars? He had a good series. Pump the brakes.
I agree, I love Murray and he could become a perennial All-Star at best but he’ll never be a franchise cornerstone or a ‘superstar’ (whatever it means).
By today’s standards he could be a superstar. If Booker is….
The Nuggets are my team and I’ll say Booker is superior.
Booker isn’t a superstar either.
Maybe it’s semantics, but there are only like 10-20 guys in that category. Not 50.
I like Jamal but he’ll never be a perennial All Star.
So true, we as fans jump on bandwagons too soon. Homers we over do it. Cause we want it so bad. I know I’ve been dumb about my Knicks. He’s only 23. He definitely got a shot. To move up ladder here. They say he’s big on working out. He’s got good size. I agree jury still out on all star.
Knickerbocker al: 6ers are already a mess. Simmons can’t/won’t shoot. Embiid is a juvenile…coach let him pick practice time…he is never in shape…gets tired at end of game. With Jimmy Butler did not want to stay there, you know it’s a bad locker room
Love how people criticize Embiid, even as he excels.
Embiid is a superstar.
I would Not have him for $0 transaction cost. He’s too solo. Many top players are, that eat will eat up a salary-cap.
There has to be a deal or two out there for Sixers. To me the scoring PG is the strongest argument. I believe as a team. It’s always best when your best players. Are Center, Forward, and guard. Especially PG, C, (PF or SF). Cause it’s three distinctly different styles strengths. Doesn’t get bogged down like two guards. Both handle ball and score from same place. When you have a great C. His best friend is a good PG . At the wing no one can deal with Simmons. And he can post more here. getting good looks from good PG. To me Sixers have pieces to get a good PG. That changes their chemistry makes them much better.
What could have been …. DAngelo instead of Horford, Butler instead of Harris. This mix would have could have won East for yrs. Just add a shooter or two.
What part of CP3’s playoff performance all of a sudden means someone will want to pay 45 million dollars a year for him to hopefully play the next 2 years at his age?
He did well in a short season with a few months off before the playoffs.
The next 2 seasons might be full 82 games seasons and instead of an extra few months off they’ll probably play both seasons in about 18 months.
No doubt his value has improved and is much much higher than it could have been but he’s still really old and still overpaid by 10-20 mil per season over the next 2 years.
They can chose to take that back in salary or they can choose to sell a couple of picks to cover it.
Or they can just keep him and try to win the next two years.
Next season will Not likely be 82 games! And players will get a rest.
CP3 is certainly overpaid but he had great leadership value this year in the team getting over the loss of Westbrook and the belief that the year should be more or less conceded. Its still an issue and CP3 would still block it. I say, good. Tanking has not worked for Philly and they had awesome capspace once.
HEADLINE:
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Morning After the NBA Draft
“Timberwolves Screw Up in NBA Draft Again”